DISQUS

Crystal Renaud · 2 years ago

true that.

tunz · 2 years ago

Now, post 10 benefits of being authentic. I'll give you number 1.
You can develop relationships that are meaningful, purposeful that inspire growth and the pursuit of Christ.

Oh and the itunes thing, ouch.

James · 2 years ago

Los, authenticity is probably the #1 most lacking thing in church today. By that, I don't necessarily mean transparency, but I mean authentic love, really meaning it when you give someone a hug or ask "how are you this morning?", actually following through on your words when you say "I'll be praying for you". Goes both ways. However, I find that authenticity breeds health. People might get offended, people might not like what they see, but that's not the problem of the person being authentic. People were offended at Jesus. People didn't like Jesus.

Your post is right on. And Tunz; you're so right. And being authentic with ourselves is the first step.

tony · 2 years ago

i'll add to the list

11. People who think "authenticity" is a license to be insulting. "You smell bad. Hey, just being authentic..."

12. Churches who are so busy using "authenticity" as a marketing tool yet aren't actually BEING AUTHENTIC because they're too busy convincing the rest of us how authentic they are...

13. It means I have to post what I really think about authenticity on your blog post.

14. Probably also means that I should admit that I'm being relatively insulting with some of this (ironic given number 11 above), but hey, I'm just being authentic...

tony · 2 years ago

horrible grammar in that one. sorry. my bad

Rhi · 2 years ago

if it was easy it wouldn't grow, stretch and mold you tho...

Jenni · 2 years ago

Weird... I was JUST thinking about all this THIS morning.

Christian · 2 years ago

15. When you say the word bitch in front of a band member and he and his wife who's on staff at the church quit and leave the church.

Los · 2 years ago

no way. HAHAHAHAHA

Chris H · 2 years ago

amen, bruddah.

16. When you sit in your cozy church office and confuse that with ministry.

Nice art below, man!

Rick · 2 years ago

I teach Crucial Conversations to my school staff. The first item of the day is, "Start with the Heart", which essentially to check your motives when you're talking with somebody. I believe that pure intentions are the baseline of authenticity. Then, act from there.

bobby · 2 years ago

16. Stuffy Christians on your church board (in a fairly traditional church) see authenticity on your blog and email the entire board and staff to call a meeting because of links to trash like YouTube and MySpace by a pastor.

(he must not know that all the pastors on staff have their own MySpace.)

Sorry. Still a bad taste from that one. Hope he doesn't come here and see this comment. Not worried though. There's plenty here to tweak him here before he ever gets to the clicking on "comments" part.

bobby · 2 years ago

Sorry. That last one just kinda spewed outta me. Maybe i should have just lumped it into #10 instead of spewing on your blog. My bad. ;)